Rare Books and Special Collections Group Annual Conference 2019

Let’s Get Physical: Materiality in Special Collections

Special collections materials differ from other types of library collections in that their physical carriers are often as important as (or more important than) the text or images they carry. The 2019 RBSCG Annual Study Conference, entitled Let’s Get Physical: Materiality in Special Collections, will examine the ways that we describe, display, preserve, and promote the physical attributes of our collections, from medieval manuscripts to contemporary artists’ books. This conference has been organised in collaboration with Cardiff University Special Collections.

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Library includes books, play scripts, journals, performance scores, orchestral sets and audio visual material. The Library also holds the Drama Association of Wales collection of scripts, the largest lending collection of scripts in English in the UK.

Visit Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives for a tour and display of some of the highlights from their collections including incunabula, annotated players’ copies of Early Modern plays, the Salisbury Library of Welsh subject matter and Welsh language materials, children’s literature, private press and fine bindings, artists’ books, and scientific and literary archive material.

A tour and display highlighting the rich collection of artist’s books held by Cardiff Metropolitan University. There will also be a visit to the printing studio and a printing activity (activity TBC)

This growing collection of over 550 artists’ books is held within Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Library for Cardiff School of Art & Design and was formed to support the teaching and learning within the School. It is also open to the public by appointment. The collection has books from each decade since the 1960s and includes work by artists such as Ray Johnson, Dieter Roth, Ed Ruscha and Gilbert and George.

Glamorgan Archives collects records relating to the history of Glamorgan and its people. Records include plans, papers, photographs, parchments and paper diaries. The Archives work to preserve and conserve these items and make them available for public consultation. The tour will be “access all areas” and include conservation and box making and a display of material. This visit will last 2 hours.

CILIP Rare Books & Special Collections Group Bursaries

The CILIP Rare Books & Special Collections Group will offer at least three bursaries to allow individuals to attend the Group’s annual study conference in 2019. The Group is delighted to offer bursaries sponsored by Max Communications, Adam Matthew Digital and the RBSCG for a student or new professional. The conference offers an opportunity to learn from experts about a particular aspect of special collections work, to share ideas, and to connect with fellow professionals.

This year one bursary place is reserved for a student or new professional from a BAME background.

Candidates should be members of the CILIP Rare Books & Special Collections Group (either as a CILIP member or Group-Only Member) who are either students or have only recently started a career working with special materials. If you are not a member of CILIP or the RBSCG you should be willing to become a member if in receipt of the bursary.

The bursary award comprises:

Free attendance at the Conference, including the conference dinner, and accommodation for two nights.

Reasonable standard class travel expenses up to £100.

Bursary award winners are expected:

To attend for the full conference programme, to maximise the benefit to be gained from this opportunity.

To write a report on your experience at the conference for the Rare Books Newsletter or for sponsors social media.

To assist the organisers as required with practical tasks during the Conference.

To apply for a RBSCG new professional/student bursary:

Please quote your CILIP membership number or state that you are a Group Only member if applicable, and provide a short outline (under 300 words) of the ways in which attendance at the conference will benefit your career. Place(s) will be awarded to the applicant(s) who in the view of the Group Committee make the best case for their attendance. Please indicate if you wish to be considered for the BAME student or new professional bursary on your application.

CILIP in Wales Bursary

CILIP Wales are pleased to sponsor a bursary place for a CILIP member who lives and/or works in Wales. The bursary comprises attendance at either the Thursday OR the Friday of the conference according to the successful candidates preference plus up to £100 towards travel expenses.

Preference will be give to an applicant from a BAME background, please state if you wish to be considered for this in your application.

To apply for the bursary Please quote your CILIP membership number, and provide a short outline (under 300 words) of the ways in which attendance at the conference will benefit your career. Place(s) will be awarded to the applicant(s) who in the view of the CILIP Wales committee make the best case for their attendance.

You can make a group booking at any point using the book now button. Simply make your initial individual booking, save and then add another attendee. To make use of your CILIP membership benefits you should ensure that you use each member’s specific details (and member number) details at the time of booking or discounts will not be applied.